Title: Scottish Independence Movement Loses Steam as Challenges Mount
Subtitle: Orkney Islands’ interest in Nordic connections highlights United Kingdom’s stability
Date: November 15, 2022
The Scottish National Party (SNP), which has long dominated Scottish political life, is experiencing a sharp decline in popularity and support for Scottish independence has waned. Despite the Orkney Islands’ recent exploration of “Nordic connections,” the idea of Scotland leaving the United Kingdom seems less likely than ever before.
In 1469, King James III of Scotland married Margaret, the daughter of the king of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As the dowry payment was not made, her father pledged the archipelagos of Orkney and Shetland as collateral. The islands, located approximately 30 miles north of mainland Scotland, have remained part of the country ever since, although they have always considered themselves distinct from the government in Edinburgh.
Recent developments suggest that the integrity of the United Kingdom remains strong. Over the past decade, the SNP enjoyed significant support, particularly after losing the independence referendum in 2014. However, the party has faced numerous challenges in recent years.
In February, Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP’s leader and Scotland’s First Minister, announced her resignation amidst a financial scandal within the party. Reports suggest that she and her husband could face charges related to these allegations. Additionally, Sturgeon’s plans for a second independence referendum were thwarted by legal and political obstacles.
The energy and momentum that fueled the SNP’s remarkable rise to power have significantly decreased. Recent polls indicate a decline in support for the party, with predictions suggesting it may lose up to 20 constituencies to a resurgent Labour Party in the next general election.
Brexit has also played a role in dampening enthusiasm for Scottish independence. The complexities of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union have shed light on the challenges of disentangling a 300-year-old union. The economic consequences of Scottish independence, particularly in the context of trade barriers between Scotland and the rest of the UK, have raised concerns about a potential hit to prosperity.
Moreover, fatigue from a decade of constitutional debate and uncertainty has taken its toll. While many Scots support the idea of a second independence referendum in principle, they are wary of holding one in the near future. The emotional resonance of Scottish independence remains, but practical considerations and the pursuit of a better, more prosperous future are now paramount.
Ultimately, Scottish nationalism exists on a spectrum, and the desire for greater autonomy can be separate from the push for complete independence. For now, the settled will of the Scottish people is to remain part of the United Kingdom but assert their distinctive Scottish identity within it.
While the Orkney Islands’ interest in exploring “Nordic connections” and calls for subsidiarity and autonomy may raise eyebrows, they serve as a reminder that the United Kingdom’s unity is more secure than it has been in a long time.
Whether Scotland will eventually pursue independence remains uncertain, but for the moment, it appears that the desire for stability and practical considerations outweigh the allure of breaking away from the United Kingdom.
Note: Alex Massie is a columnist for The Times of London.
[End of article]